1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://archive.org/details/proceedingsofconOOepis 


OF     A 

CONVENTION  OF  THE  TRUSTEES 

Stiiilrfrsitij  for  tljc  S^Biitjjent  States, 

IT  Ml  in;   'I'KK  AisncKs    oy  the 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH'; 

TOGF-TIIMl!    AVITH     A 

NARRATIVE,  AND  THE  ADDRESS 


IMlKPAIiKl)    I'XDRi;  TilF.    ollDKli  or   Tli !•]  O )X\T,XTinX.   m'  THK  SECRETARY. 

I 


ATLANTA,   (^K()lJ(iLA: 
PinXTEI)    r,V    C.  11.  jrANLI'lTI']!, 

1857. 


^C 


-4. 


Richard  Barksdale  Harwell 


PROCEEDIlSraS 


CONVENTION  OF  THE  TRUSTEES 


OF   A  PROPOSED 


fflitikrsiti  for  !|e  S0iit|ent  States, 


UNDER   THE    AUSPICES     OF   THE 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


TOGETHEE   WITH    A 


NARRATIVE,  AND  THE  ADDRESS 


ET.  HEY.  JAS.  H.  OTEY,  B.  B., 

PREPAEED   UNDER  THE   ORDER  OP  THE  CONVENTION.  BY  THE  SECRETART. 


'^ikcce;,  qtj^m:  jBonsrxjJMi' 


PR 


Siiould  the  sober  critic  object,  apart  from  the  niaiiy  defi- 
ciencies of  this  IsFarrativej  to  its  excess  of  detail  and  cir- 
cumstance, the  writer  begs  it  may  be  noted — 

1.  That  they  who  imposed  this  task  upon  him,  enjoined  him 
to  omit  nothing  belonging  to  an  occ;',HJon,  in  tlieir  view,  of 
most  memorable  importance. 

2.  This  pamphlet  is  intended,  (as  appears  from  the  large 
edition  ordered  to  be  printed,)  for  very  general  distribution, 
and  will  reach  many  to  whom  the  Vvhole  matter  is  a  novel- 
ty— hence  the  need  of  full  particiilars. 


c 


O^^Fa 


Ijllfflflir 


It  is  known  to  the  public,  tliat  during  tlie  last  year  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Bishop  Polk,  of  Louisiana,  invited  the  attention  of  his 
brethren  in  the  Episcopal  Office,  to  the  urgent  need,  in  the 
Southern  States,  of  a  University  of  high  order,  under  the 
distinct  sanctions  of  the  Christian  faith. 

He  urged,  that  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  these 
.  States,  in  virtue  of  the  wcaltli  and  intelligence  of  her  mem- 
bers, owed  a  deljt  to  the  country;  that,  how^ever,  the  individ- 
ual dioceses  were,  scjjarately,  too  weak  to  establish  such  insti- 
tutions, they  coukl,  hy  uniting  their  resources,  accomplish  the 
like  result ;  he  called  aitciition  to  tlie  fact,  that  a  site  could  be 
found  for  sucli  xi  University  of  easy  access  by  railway  from 
all  portions  of  the  Souilieni  country. 

TJiis  proposition^  was  acujuiesced  in  by  the  Bishops  address- 
ed. After  due  considtation,  they  issued  an  address  embodying 
their  viev/s,  and  inviting  tlie  Conventions  of  the  several  dio- 
ceses to  appoint  Trustees,  who  should  meet  in  conference  up- 
on this  important  matter. 

Such  are  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the  meeting,  upon 
the  4th  day  of  July,  of  the  Convention  whose  acts  are  here 
reported. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  in  the  State  of  Tennesse^' 
the  Look-out  Mountain  uplifts  its  majestic  presence.     St 
ing  on  its  summit,  the  stranger  drinks  in  a  bracing  air* 
wanders   over  a  vast  sea  of  forest  ami  /:  •  '  ' 
its  vision  is  bounded  by  the  mounta^" 
The  Tennessee  River  Avinds  in  gr ' 
and  is  lost  to  view,  and  the"  ' 
out   again  in  the  far  dit^v 
rocks,  creation  of  the,'' 


ing  from  their  lieiglits,  the  rushing  railway  train  hastening 
along  its  appointed  way,  seems  as  a  child's  toy,  a  mere  play- 
thing, amid  the  great  realities  of  nature. 

Upon  this  mountain  top,  in  the  clear  light  of  Heaven,  and 
upon  the  anniversary  of  the  nation's  freedom,  assembled  the 
company  whose  doings  are  now  to  be  recited.  They  met  to 
consult  how  they  might  glorify  God  in  providing  for  the  wel- 
fare of  His  children ;  how  they  might  secure  to  all  posterity 
the  liberty  rung  out  throughout  all  the  land  to  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  in  the  days  of  '76  !  and  the  better  freedom  which  can 
be  found  in  the  reverent  service  of  the  Lord  and  of  his  Christ. 

They  met  as  brethren,  with  cheerful  words  and  cordial  sal- 
utation 5  they  met  as  patriots  should  meet,  on  their  nation's 
birthday,  with  their  country's  flag  above  them,  her  anthems 
floating  around  them,  and  the  thought  of  her  ancient  glories 
and  her  future  greatness  full  within  them.  They  met  as  chris- 
tian men  should  meet,  rendering  homage  to  the  glorious  God 
who  upheaveth  the  mountains,  to  the  Son  whose  service 
is  perfect  freedom,  and  to  the  Spirit  whose  breath  inspires  with 
wisdom  and  fortitude  the  souls  of  men. 

At  a  proper  hour,  the  procession,  marshalled  by  Major  A. 
M.  Lea,  of  Knoxville,  was  formed  in  front  of  the  "  Mountain 
House."  At  its  head,  a  flag  was  borne  by  Rezin  Rawlins,  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  a  brass  band  from  Chattanooga  fol- 
lowing. In  order,  succeeded  the  Bishops  and  other  Trustees, 
the  Clergy,  of  whom  not  a  few  were  in  attendance  as  visitors, 
and  to  these  must  be  added  the  ladies  of  their  families,  and 
^Hal  hundred  citizens. 

""d  and  picturesque  spot  had  been  chosen  for  the  exer- 

"  rude  stand  provided  upon  the  elevation  afforded 

^^+h  the  stand  the  Bishops  sat  in  a  group ;  the 

■^ear;  and  on  one  side,  under  the 

d  the  choir,   extemporized  for 

'-^al  instrument;  while  the 

^gularly  upon  the  cliffs, 

'^e  services  proceeded 

to  preserve  the 


order  of  proceedings)  the  assembly  rose,  and  worshipped  God 
in  the  solemn  strains  of  the  Hundredth  Psalm — its  notes 
floated  sweetly  for  a  time  ea^ound  our  heads,  and  then  seemed 
to  rise  gently  toward  the  sky,  and  as  christian  men  believe, 
passed  beyond  the  cloud. 

The  Et.  Rev.  Bishop  Green,  of  Mississippi,  then  rose  and 
said,  that  it  was  proper  after  singing  the  praise  of  God,  to 
pause  and  listen  to  His  holy  word — he  would,  therefore,  read 
a  chapter,  not  inappropriate  to  the  occasion  which  called  the 
assembly  together. 

The  chapter  selected  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Prelate,  was  the  twen- 
ty-second of  Joshua.  It  recites  how  the  tribes  of  Reuben  and 
Gad  and  the  half  tribe  of  Manasseh  received  their  inheritance 
on  "the  other  side  Jordan;"  and  how,  when  their  enemies 
were  all  defeated  and  they  had  returned  to  their  homes,  they 
''built  there  an  Altar  by  Jordan,  a  great  Altar  to  see  to."  It 
describes  the  indignation  of  Israel,  and  the  expostulation  of 
their  deputed  Elders  against  what  seemed  to  be  an  act  fraught 
with  rebellion,  and  hostile  to  the  peace  and  unity  of  brethren, 
and  the  earnestness  with  which  any  such  intentions  were  dis- 
claimed. They  had  said,  "  Let  us  now  prepare  to  build  us  an 
Altar,  not  for  burnt  offering  nor  for  sacrifice,  but  that  it  may 
be  a  witness  between  us  and  you  and  our  generations  after  us, 
that  we  might  do  the  service  of  the  Lord... that  your  children 
may  not  say  to  our  children  in  time  to  come,  Ye  have  no  part 
in  the  Lord." 

The  reader  added  no  comment  to  this  well-chosen  scripture 
— already  every  heart  was  full.  For  these  first  spoken  wo^  as 
expressed  the  thought  of  all,  that  not  in  malice  or  in  mis- 
chief, not  in  rebellion  or  in  disaffection  had  we  come  together 
beneath  the  blue  sky ;  that  so  far  from  rearing  an  Altar  of 
discontent,  we  had  met  with  a  just  pride  in  our  common  heri- 
tage, with  an  abiding  devotion  to  our  common  faith,  with  more 
than  a  brother's  love  to  the  tribes  more  numerous  and  more 
favored  than  ourselves,  separated  from  us  by  the  hills  and 
streams  of  our  common  home. 

Such  thoughts  as  these  found  their  utterance  in  the  Te  Be- 
um  which  was  next  sung  by  the  assembly  ;  for  St.    Ambrose' 


6 

words  become  us  well  wlien  we  realize  tlie  communion  of  the 
Saints.  Prayers  were  then  oiFered  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
CoBBS,  of  Alabama,  and  the  G-loria  in  excehis  was  chanted  by 
the  company. 

The  Hon.  G.  B.  Duncan  next  took  the  stand,  and  after 
some  introductory  remarks,  proceeded  to  read  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  He  also  gave,  l)y  request,  a  history  of  the 
flao;  used  on  the  occasion. 

The  flag  was  made,  he  said,  by  ladies  of  that  city  where  our 
independence  had  its  birtli.  The  staff  was  cut  by  Millard 
Fillmore  when  President  of  the  United  States,  from  near  the 
grave  of  Washington,  and  presented,  at  his  request,  to  tlie 
owner  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Scott.  This  flag  had  been  borne  at  the 
mast  of  one  of  our  national  vessels,  it  had  waved  upon  the 
breezes  of  Europe  and  of  Asia,  of  the  Mediterranean  and  the 
Nile;  its  folds  had  been  displayed  upon  the  lonely  Sinai,  and 
amid  the  sacred  localities  of  Jerusalem. 

Such  was  the  banner  under  which  we  rallied.  At  tlie 
conclusion  of  these  remarks,  "The  Star  Spano;led  Banner" 
was  played  by  the  band. 

ThePtt.  Rev.  James  H.  Otey,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Tennessee, 
then  stood  forth  as  the  Orator  of  the  day  ;  his  address  appears 
upon  these  pages,  and  forms  tliC  most  valuable  portion  of  this 
record. 

Various  emotions  vvere  stirred  as  the  Rt.  Rev.  Speaker  ut- 
tered his  earnest  words.  The  reference,  with  which  he  hap- 
pily began,  to  St.  Paul's  claim  to  Roman  citizenship,  reminded 
us  all  that  the  Patriot  was  not  of  necessity  lost  in  the  Chris- 
tian ;  that  holdin  galoft  the  cross  of  Christ,  we  need  not  blush 
to  place  beneath  it  the  Stars  and  Stripes ;  that  after  the  echoes 
of  the  hills  had  been  awaked  with  the  loftiest  straius  of  chris- 
tian praise,  it  is  not  unfitting  to  bid  them  presently  give  back 
the  animating  notes  of  freedom's  songs. 

No  christian  could  fail  to  sympatize  with  the  speaker  in  his 
positions,  that  ours  is  a  government  intcDded  for  christian  peo- 
ple, not  for  Mormons  and  Atheists,  and  that  beneath  all  law 
must  lie  the  great  foundation  of  public  virtue  and  the  fear  of 
God.     None  could  fail  to  catcli  somewhat  of  his  enthusiasm, 


;is  lie  not  so  miicli  boasted,  as  confessed  with  words  and  ges- 
tures of  humblest  gratitude,  the  benign  and  conservative  in- 
liuence  w^hich  tlie  Church,  wliose  vows  are  upon  us,  has  always 
exercised  in  our  land ;  as  he  spoke  of  the  work  to  bo  done  in 
til  is  nation,  and  of  the  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  as  the  men  to  do  it. 

I'Ims  far  the  Hag  liiing  idly  from  its  staff;  but  when  the 
Bis]iop  began  to  speak  of  our  Country  and  the  love  all  good 
men  bear  it,  a  breeze  came  to  stir  the  Stars  and  Stripes ;  and 
still,  as  he  proceeded  to  denounce  the  thought,  that  we  would 
come  wdth  lioly  words  upon  our  lips  to  plot  mischief  against 
our  brethren,  the  flag  waved  more  proudly  than  before,  seek- 
ing the  person  of  the  speaker  and  causing  his  Avords  to  come 
as  it  were  from  tlic  midst  of  its  folds.  As  the  oration  pro- 
gressed, warm  tears  filled  many  an  eye,  and  would  not  be  re- 
pressed. At  its  close,  the  band  struck  up  "Hail  Columbia,'' 
and  the  company  rose  to  tlieir  feet.  Many  hastened  to  thank 
the  orator  for  the  just  expression  he  had  given  to  their  senti- 
ments, then  all  dispersed,  and  might  be  seen  in  friendly  groups 
still  prolonging  the  pleasant  theme. 

Upon  the  succeeding  day,  the  day  of  rest,  the  hours  passed 
most  pleasantly.  A  few  of  the  company,  including  the 
Bishops  of  Mississippi  and  I'^Iorida,  consented  to  hold  service 
in  Chattanooga  at  the  request  of  the  several  congregations  of 
that  town,  and  thus  the  (circle  was  incomplete.  Tlie  other  Trus- 
tees and  visitors,  liowevcr,  Joined  in  common  prayers;  a  candi- 
date was  admitted  Deacon  by  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  and 
the  Holy  Communion  vras  administered. 

The  service  was  lield  in  a  common  room,  and  with  few  of 
the  ordinary  applinncey  of  the  church;  necessary  as  these  are, 
where  they  may  i)e  had,  their  absence  was  scarcely  noted; 
there  were  Avarm  hearts  and  a  full  response,  and  (thanks  to 
the  ladies  who  had  come  up  with  their  husbands  and  fathers) 
good  old  fashioned  trdies  were  used,  which  every  one  loves  to 
sing. 

The  themes  of  discourse  upon  this  day  deserve  to  be  put 
on  record  as  illustrating  the  spirit  that  prevailed. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Cobbs  preached  in.  the  morning  upon 


tlie  text  "No  man  cared  for  my  soul" — Psalm  cxlii.,  4. — 
He  urged  the  sore  need  of  sympathy  to  even  the  wisest  and 
the  strongest  of  us  ;  the  desolation  of  those  who  have  no  man 
to  care  for  their  souls ;  the  folly  of  parents  who  provide  for 
the  bodily  and  mental  wants  of  their  children,  but  are  care- 
less of  their  souls.  He  spoke  of  the  wretchedness  which  comes 
from  being  selfish  and  careless  of  the  needs  and  sorrows  of 
our  brethren.  It  may  be,  that  one  and  another  resolved,  as 
he  listened  to  these  counsels  so  oft  forgotten,  that  he  would 
strive  to  remove  from  some,  occasion  to  use  David's  sad  com- 
plaint. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Elliott  preached  upon 
the  text,  "I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ" — Ro- 
mans i.,  16. 

After  stating  the  circumstances  wdiich  might  abash  even  St. 
Paul  in  exercising  his  ministry  at  imperial  Rome,  the  preach- 
er adverted  to  the  difficulty,  not  to  be  appreciated  anterior  to 
experience,  of  preaching  the  G^ospeJ;  how  we  are  tempted  to 
keep  within  the  lower  regions  of  speculation  and  details  of 
duty,  while  in  our  sinful  and  carnal  mind,  we  shrink  from  urg- 
ing the  great  mysteries  of  doctrine,  the  truths  transcending 
earth,  which  to  the  world  are  foolishness,  and  which  are  yet 
our  only  means  of  converting  sinful  men.  And  the  burden 
of  his  exhortation  was,  that  we  should  be  conversant  with 
those  themes  which  constitute  the  power  of  the  Gospel,  and 
fight  hard  against  the  weakness  which  often  inclines  us  to 
avoid  those  topics  at  which  the  ungodly  scoff. 

In  the  evening,  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Le- 
onid as  Polk,  Bishop  of  Louisiana,  upon  the  text,  "  Godliness 
is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come," — 1st  Timothy  iv.,  8; 
a  genial,  cheerful  sermon,  justly  distinguishing  gloom  from 
godliness.  It  was  conclusively  demonstrated,  that  the  truest 
earthly  happiness,  whether  in  the  domain  of  appetite  and  taste, 
or  in  the  region  of  the  intellect  and  the  afiections,  is  to  be 
found  by  the  man  who  walks  humbly  and  carefully  with  his 
God. 

A  sermon  also  was  preaciied,  after  tlie  adjournment  of  the 


9 

Convention  on  Monday  evening,  b}^  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  F. 
Davis,  Bishop  of  South  Carolina,  which  the  writer  regrets  he 
could  not  remain  to  hear. 

It  will  be  felt  by  all,  who  have  ever  made  a  like  attempt, 
that  it  is  impossible  to  convey  an  ndcquatc  idea  of  the  spirit 
which  pervaded  all  these  scenes.  And  yet  tliis  narrative  can- 
not be  completed  without  some  such  sketch. 

We  are  taught  that  there  is  a  Brotiiehly-Kindmess,  which 
is  something  more  than  charity — the  ncAV  commandment  where- 
of St.  John  speaketh.  This  influence  pervaded  the  assembled 
company  to  a  singular  degree. 

Several  circumstances  conduced  to  this :  The  Trustees  v/ere 
hospitably  entertained  in  one  establishment — the  irtimc  VY\as 
spent  in  social  converse  Vvlien  deliberations  were  suspended, 
and  the  artifice  of  social  life  was  forgotten  in  the  free  scenes 
of  nature.  They  leaned  towards  each  other,  and  seemed  to 
know  each  other,  and  a  web  of  kindliness  v/as  w^ovcn  around 
them,  as  in  the  pleasant  abandon  of  the  hour  the  threads  v/erc 
drawn  out  of  things  sober  and  things  gay.  It  was  felt,  that 
they  were  identified  in  every  interest  dear  to  men;  and  it  was 
said,  that  apart  from  any  ulterior  results,  all  would  be  well  re- 
warded for  their  pains  and  travel,  in  thus  learning  what  man- 
ner of  soldiers  make  up  our  ranks;  in  the  new  heart,  and 
fresh  courage  with  which  each  would  betake  himself  to  his 
proper  work,  confident  that  he  was  not  left  to  serve  alone. 

The  observer  could  not  fail  also  to  notice  the  intense  enthu- 
siasm which  prevailed,  and  which  belonged,  especially,  to  those 
who  have  been  most  prominent  in  this  enterprise. 

Less  than  a  hecatomb  they  are  not  willing  to  lay  upon  the 
Altar  of  God;  the  boon  they  propose  to  bestow  upon  their  coun- 
try must  be  something  whereof  the  like  has  not  been  known. 
Defeat  is  a  word  to  which  they  will  not  listen ;  and  confident 
in  the  purity  of  their  motives  and  the  largeness  of  their  good 
will,  they  stand  ready  to  meet  difficulties,  knowing  that  God 
will  prosper  the  good  intent. 

But  the  Virtues  are  social,  and  must  walk  in  company. 
Hence,  was  it  no  less  gratifying  to  observe,  in  the  clergy  as 
well  as  the  laymen,  the  evidences  of  that  cautious  prudence, 


"wliicli,  wlion  joined  to  zealous  entliiisiasin,  assures  its  triumpli. 
Ill  the  proceediiio-s  of  tliis  body  wdl  ])e  found  no  evidences  of 
indecent  haste  or  rasli  precipitancy.  Using  counsel  and  ad- 
vice, vitli  a  sure  :ind  steady  ])ace,  the  friends  of  this  Univer- 
sity seek  to  fidfjl  tiieir  hopes — and  althouo-h  different  dioceses, 
and  many  localities  desire  to  secure  the  Univev,dty  fov  their 
own  vicinity,  their  claims  are  preferred  without  undue  pei'ti- 
nacity,  and  all  are  ready  to  dei'er  clieerfully  to  considerations 
of  the  public  good. 

Upon  many  points  of  interest  the  sentiments  of  the  Trus- 
tees liC(Ve  not  lieen  tested.  Upon  some,  their  opinions  arc  yet 
in  a])eyancc,  and  are  to  be  formed  after  enquiry  and  dcliber;i- 
t!on.  Some  questions,  however,  were  so  decided,  and  some 
opinions  so  generally  acquiesced  in.  that  they  may  properly 
1)0  reported. 

A  bohi  eiibrt  is  to  be  iuade  to  advance  the  cause  of  sound 
h^arninp;  under  ju.st  religious  influences. 

It  w^as  said  that  tiie  Cliurch  had  Jiot  prospered  in  her  Mis- 
sioiiary  v/ork  so  long  <\s  she  sent  here  and  tliere  a  forlorn 
Priest  or  Deacon:  she  had,  therefore,  changed  her  policy  and 
learned  to  seiid  the  Bish.op  first.  Thus,  in  the  matter  of  edu- 
cation, v,'e  liave  labored  to  establish  here  aiid  there  a  School, 
a,n  Academy,  or  a  College  of  moderate  pretcnsioUxS.  Let  us 
rally  around  a  University  which  shall  necessitate  the  minor 
orders,  and  create  in  time  the  schools  tributary  to  it.  xVl- 
ready  tlie  University  of  \^irginia  is  supplying  that  State  witii 
its  chief  instructors,  and  infusing  its  educational  system  into 
all  the  common  schools. 

It  was  said,  moreover,  tliat  there  is  a  confidence  in  the  sta- 
bility, the  intelligence,  the  learning  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Cliurcii,  wliicb  will  secure  a  cordial  assistance  from,  many 
not  of  our  communion,  vrhen  it  is  proposed  to  found,  for  the 
promotion  of  sound  learning  under  the  sanctions  of  tlie  chris- 
tian faith,  an  institution  free  to  all  persons  who  desire  to  se- 
cvn-e  su.ch  a  training  for  their  sons. 

It  was  agreed,  as  will,  be  seen  in  the  declaration  of  princi- 
ples, that  to  avoid  confusion  and  jealousy,  each  diocese  shall 
tui  the  aaiardian  of  the  funds  raised  within  its  own  limits. 


11 

It  was  furtlier  agreed,  as  appears  from  the  same  document, 
that  the  m^oney  so  raised  shall  be  devoted  to  securing  intellec- 
tual excellence,  rather  than  be  expended  in  material  forms. 
With  this  view,  the  funds  contributed  ai'c  to  ]}e  p^ese^^'ed 
intact.  The  interest,  and  none  of  the  principal,  is  to  be 
used  in  the  purchase  of  lands  and  the  erection  of  buiklings, 
so  that  when  the  LTniversity  is  rejKlv  for  occupancy,  its  en- 
dowments,undiminished,  will  secure,  by  liijci-a]  salaries,  \]\?  ];ost 
talent  and  soundest  lea,]'ning' (so  one  feared  not  to  srsy)  lb  at 
the  world  can  furnish. 


It  was  thus,  that  twenty  men,  representatives  of  no  mean 
constituency,  assembled  :  and  thus  tliey  took  counsel  togeib.er 
of  an  enterprise,  which  might  seem  too  gre?it  for  them,  digni- 
fied as  are  many  among  tliem  in  office  and  rich  in  their  per- 
sonal endowments. 

They  met  in  the  open  sunlight,  for  they  vfould  have  all  their 
purpose  to  lie  patent  to  the  day.  They  stood  upon  the  solid 
rock,  for  their  intent  was  firm  and  righteous.  They  stood 
where  but  a  few  years  since,  all  was  forest  and  the  Indian's 
home,  and  the  far  reaching  landscape  dotted  with  rich  fields 
Vfas  a  help  to  faith;  wliile  tlie  silver  stream,  which  bursts  there 
through  solid  rocks,  proclaimed  that  patience  is  invincible. 

They  stood  upon  the  Pisgali  of  the  Look-out  Mountain  and 
gazed  earnestly  in  \X\q,  glorious  future  of  their  hope.  Yvhat 
if  these  men  of  God  shall  not  adventure  into  it  themselves  I 
It  is  glory  enough,  even  to  those  who  rest  in  an  unknown 
grave,  to  have  led  tlun'r  people  towards  a  fair  possession. 

Twenty  men  upon  Mount  Look-out !  yet  not  moiK3  feeble 
than  the  lone  Elijah  upon  Carmcl.  ''  Where  is  the  Lord  God 
of  Elijah?"  Yvliile  they  pray  vvdth showed  heads  and  anxious 
expectation,  may  the  cloud  of  promise  increase  into  the  rain 
of  richest  benediction ! 


PROCEEDINGS 

OF    THE 

TRUSTEES  OF  THE 

mvm 


Look-out  Mountain, 
JS^ear  Chattanooga,   Tennessee,  July  4,  1857. 

This  being  the  time  and  place  for  the  assembling  of  the 
Trustees  appointed  by  several  dioceses  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  Southern  and  South- Western  States, 
to  confer  touching  the  establishment  of  a  University  under 
the  auspices  of  said  Church,  a  goodly  number  of  persons  con- 
vened at  the  "Mountain  House." 

At  the  hour  of  11,  A.  M.,  a  procession  was  formed  under 
the  conduct  of  Major  A.  M.  Lea,  of  Tennessee,  who  acted 
as  Marshal,  and  marched  in  order  to  the  stand  appointed  for 
the  opening  exercises. 

The  Hundredth  Psalm  having  been  devoutly  sung,  a  portion 
of  Holy  Scripture  appropriate  to  the  occasion  (being  the  22d 
chapter  of  Joshua)  was  read  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Green, 
D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Misssissippi.  The  Te  Deum  was  then  sung, 
followed  by  prayers,  offered  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  N.  H.  Cobbs,  D. 
I).,  Bishop  of  Alabama,  and  these  succeeded  by  the  Gloria  in 
excelsis. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  by  the  Hon.  G. 
B.  Duncan,  of  the  diocese  of  Lousiana,  and  an  account  given 
of  the  flag  which  waved  above  the  stand. 

The  address  was  then  delivered  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  J.  H.  Otey, 
D.  D.,  Bishop  pf  Tennessee,  and  the  assembly  presently  dis- 
persed. 


14 

At  -Jr,  P.  M.,  tlic  Truytoes  a-sseiiibled  for  organization.  On 
motion  of  the  lit.  Rev.  IS.  H.  Cobbs,  D.  D.,  tlie  Rt.  Rev. 
Jas.  II.  Otey,  I).  I).,  w^i.!^^  rinniihnoiisly  elected  President,  and 
wa.s  conducted  to  tlie  cliair. 

On  motion  of  tlie  Rt.  Rev.  Leonidci.^  Polk,  D.  1).,  tlie  Rev. 
llem'y  C  Lay  ^vas  elected  Secretary. 

Certificates  of  election  being  called  for,  it  appeared  that 
the  folloAviiig  Presbyters  and  Laymen  had  been  duly  appoint- 
ed by  the  Conventions  of  tlie  several  dioceses  to  represent 
tliein  in  this  body,  viz  : 

Mrth   Carolina. — Rev.  M.  Ashly  Curtis,  D.  L>., 
Mr.  Thomas  Ruffin, 
Mr.  Thomas  D.  Warren. 

South   Carolina.- — Rev.  Alexander  Gregg, 
Mr.  I.  L.  Manning, 
Mr.  Wm.  Allston  Pringle. 

Alabama. — Rev.  Henry  C.  Lny, 
•    Mr.  C.  T.  Pollardr 
Mr.  L.  II.  Anderson. 


3lississij)in. — Rev.  V(.  W.  Lord, 
Mr.  G.  S.  Yerger, 
Mr.  En2:ene  Hinton. 


Louisiana. — Rev.  W.  T.  Leacock,  L.  D., 
Mr,  G^eo.  S.   Guion, 
Mr.  Wm.  N.  i\Iercer. 

Texas. — Rev.  J.  W.  Dunn, 
Mr.  E.  B.  Nichols, 
Mr.  J.  E.  Nicholson. 

Tennessee. — Rev.  David  Pise,  D.  D., 
Mr.  Francis  B.  Fogg. 
Mr.  John  Armfield. 

The  Bishops  of  Georgia  and  of  Florida,  mentioned  the 
providential  causes  which  had  prevented  the  election  of  Trus- 
tees in  their  respective  dioceses. 


The  roll  beiug  called  the  foUowiiig  Trustees  ;iii;-;were(I  to 
tlieir  iiame.^,  viz : 

Kt.  Eev.  Jay.  II.  Otey,  D.  1)., 

lit.  Kev.  Leonidas  Polk,  1).  I)., 

Pvt.  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  D.  i)., 

lit.  Rev.  i^.  H.  Cobb..,  D.  D., 

Rt.  Rev.  Will.  M.  Green,  D.  D., 

Rt.  Rev.  F.  11.  Rutledge,  D.  I)., 

Rt.  Rev.  T.  y.  I)avi8,  13.  ]J. 

Rev.  M.  Ashiy  Ourtin,  I).  1),, 

Rev.  Alex.  Gregg, 

Rev,  Henry  C  Lay, 

Rev.  W.  W.  Lord,'' 

Rev.  W.  T.  Leacock,  D.  I)., 

Rev.  J.  V{.  Dunn, 

Rev,  David  Pise,  D.  I). 

Mr.  Thomas  D.  Warren, 
Mr.  0.  T.  Pollard, 
Mr.  L.  il.-  Ander^>on, 
Mr.  G.  y.  Guion, 
Mr.  Francis  B.  Fogg, 
Ml-.  John  Arnifield. 

"Whereupon,  the  President  declared,  that  r.,  quormn  v/as  pre- 
sent, and  pronounced  the  Convention  duly  orgain'zed. 

On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Polk — 

Resolved,  That  the  rules  of  order  of  the  last  Convention 
of  the  diocese  of  Tennessee,  be  adopted  as  the  rules  of  order 
of  this  body. 

On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Elliott — 
.Resolved,  That  the  Sessions  of  this  Convention  be  open  to 
the  public. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Polk  gave  notice  oi'  ;i  motion  to  ap- 
point the  following  committees : 

1.  Of  Location, 

2.  To  obtain  a  Charter, 
o.  Of  Ways  and  Means. 


16 

4.  Of  Oi'ganization,  or  PrograiLine,  and  Working  Machin- 

5.  Of  Construction  and  Building. 

^  On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Folic,  the  Convention 

adjourned  until  Monday  morning,  at  9  o'clock. 


SKCONO  DAY. 

Monday,  July  6,  1857. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment,  and  prayer 
was  offered  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  President. 

The  roll  being  called,  the  members  were  found  to  be  pre- 
sent as  on  Saturday. 

On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Rutledge — 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  tendered 
to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Otey,  for  the  very  appropriate  address 
delivered  before  them  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  July,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publi- 
cation. 

Which  motion,  being  propounded  by  the  Secretary,  was 
unanimously  adopted. 

Whereupon,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Otey  briefly  responded, 
expressing  his  acknowledgments,  and  assenting  to  the  wishes 
of  the  Convention. 

On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Polk — 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretarj^  be  requested  to  prepare,  at 
his  earliest  convenience,  an  account  of  the  meeting  of  this 
Convention,  embodying  the  events  of  the  4th  of  July,  and 
including  the  proceedings  of  this  body,  and  the  address  of 
the  Bishop  of  Tennessee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Thomas  D.  Warren — 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  six  be  appointed  to  raise 
the  necessary  funds  for  the  publication  of  ten  thousand  copies 
of  the  above  account,  and  that  they  be  charged,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Secretary,  with  the  circulation  and  distribution 
of  the  same. 


17 

Messrs.  Warren,  Pollard,  Anderson,  Guion,  Fogg,  and 
Armfield  were  appointed  said  committee. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Elliot  proposed  the  following  pream- 
ble and  resolutions,  to  be  adopted  by  the  Convention  as  a 
declaration  of  principles,  being  substantially  the  same  with 
those  announced  by  the  Bishops  in  their  address  issued  at  the 
last  General  Convention,  viz : 

We,  the  undersigned,  Bishops  and  delegates  of  the  dioceses 
of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Ala- 
bama, Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Tennes- 
see, do  hereby  resolve  to  establish  a  University  upon  the 
following  principles : 

1.  The  University  shall,  in  all  its  parts,  be  under  the  sole 
and  perpetual  direction  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
represented  through  a  Board  of  Trustees. 

2.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  composed  of  the  Bish- 
ops of  the  dioceses  above  named,  ex-officio,  and  one  clergy- 
man and  two  laym-en  from  each  of  said  dioceses,  to  be  elected 
by  the  Convention  of  the  same.  The  joint  consent  of  the 
Bishops  as  an  order,  and  of  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Trustees 
as  another  order,  shall  be  necessary  to  the  adoption  of  any 
measure  proposed.  The  senior  Bishop  by  consecration  shall 
always  be  President  of  the  Board. 

3.  This  University  shall  not  be  put  into  operation  until  the 
sum  of  at  least  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  be  actually  se- 
cured. 

4.  The  funds  subscribed  to  this  University  shall  be  all  con- 
sidered as  capital,  to  be  preserved  untouched  for  any  purpose 
connected  either  with  the  organization  or  management  of  the 
University. 

5.  There  shall  be  a  Treasurer  appointed  in  each  diocese  by 
the  Convention  of  the  same,  to  whom  shall  be  delivered  the 
cash,  notes,  bonds,  stocks,  or  titles  to  land,  obtained  as  sub- 
scription in  that  diocese;  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  under  the 
advice  of  the  Standing  Committee,  to  invest  the  cash,  and  all 
money  which  shall  be  derived  from  the  realization  of  the  above 
mentioned  private  securities,  in  the  best  public  securities,  or 
other  safe  investments — paying  over  annually  to  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  University  the  interest  of  the  amount  subscribed. 


18 

§,  There  fehali  be  a  Treasin-er  of  the  Corporation,  who 
ilidll  receive  the  interest  annuailj,  from  the  Diocesan  Treas- 
arerSj  and  expend  it  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

T.  The  amount  subscribed  in  any  diocese,  and  secured  an 
abovGy  shall  J  in  case  of  the  dissolution  of  the  corporation,  re- 
rert  to  the  diocese  subscribing  it,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the 
Convention  shall  determine. 

8.  The  location  of  this  Universitj  shall  be  as  central  to  ail 
the  contracting  dioceses,  as  shall  be  consistent  with  the  nec- 
essary conditions  of  location. 

9.  No  diocese  shall  be  bound  bj  thc^e  principles  to  furnish 
any  particular  sum  of  monejy  but  its  contributions  shall  be 
toluntary  according  to  its  pleasure  and  ability. 

10.  The  signatures  to  this  declaration  shall  not  bind  the  di- 
oceses any  further  than  they  may  have  already  bound,  or  may 
hereafter  bind  themselves,  by  their  respective  Conventions. 

The  first,  second,  and  third  resolutions  were  successively 
adopted. 

Mr.  Pollard  moved  to  amend  the  foarib  resolution  by  ad- 
ding thereto  the  following  words  :  "  Save  that  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  when  collected,  may,  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Trustees,  be  appropriated  to  the  purchase  of  lands, 
the  erection  of  buildings,  and  the  organization  of  the  Univer- 
sity"; which  amendment  did  not  prevail. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Green  moved  to  amend  by  adding  the 
following  proviso:  ""  provided  that  donations  and  legacies  may 
be  received  for  such  objects  as  the  donors  may  indicate"; 
which  amendment  prevailed,  and  the  resolution  as  amended, 
was  adopted. 

The  fifth  and  sixth  resolutions  were  adopted. 

The  seventh  resolution  being  under  consideration,  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Bishop  Davis  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute : 

*^The  amount  subscribed  in  any  diocese  as  above,  shall  in 
the  event  of  the  dissolution  of  the  corporation,  be  returned  to 
the  donors  or  their  legal  representatives,  and  in  case  of  there 
being  no  legal  representatives,  then  it  shall  revert  to  the 
diiocese." 

Tlad  ftubBtitute  priwailed,  and  the  resolution  wa^s  adopted. 


21 

Lookout  Mountain,  for  tlieir  kind  attention  to  the  comfort  of 
the  members  of  this  Convention. 

On  motion  of  tlie  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Green,  it  was 
Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  tendered 
to  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Churches,  for  the  use  of 
their  Church  edifices,  for  divine  service  on  Sunday  last. 

There  being  no  further  business  before  the  Convention,  a 
motion  for  adjournment  prevailed. 

T\iQ  members  and  visitors  present,  rose  and  united  in  sing- 
ing the  Doxology— 

"  Praise  God  from  whom  a,ll  blessings  flow  ;" 

Prayers  were  offered,  and  the  Benediction  pronounced  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  President;  and  the  Convention  stood  a^djourned  to 
meet  at  Montgomery,  Alarbaraa,  on  Wednesday,  the  25th  day 
of  November  next. 

JAS.  H.  OTEY,  President. 
Henry  C.  Lay,  Secretary. 


i:)ECI.AI-lATION     OF    PKINCIPLES 


SET    POllTIt    AND    STTBSCBIBED 


St)  tl)c  Qlinistecs  in  Contention  CRsseiublei). 


We,  the  undersio'ned,  BishoDS  and  Deles^ates  of  the  dioceses 
of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Ala- 
bama, Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Arkansas  and  Tennt^s- 
see,  do  hereby  resolve  to  establish  a  LTniversity  upon  the  fol- 
lowing principles : 

1.  The  University  sliali,  in  all  its  parts,  be   under  the  sole 


and  perpetual  direction  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
represented  through  a  Board  of  Trustees, 

2.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  composed  of  the  Bishops 
of  the  dioceses  above  named,  ex- officio,  and  one  Clergyman 
and  two  Laymen  from  each  of  said  dioceses,  to  be  elected  by 
the  Convention  of  the  same.  The  joint  consent  of  the  Bish- 
ops as  an  order,  and  of  the  Clerical  and  Lay  Trustees,  as  an- 
other order,  shall  be  necessary  to  the  adoption  of  any  meas- 
ure proposed.  The  Senior  Bishop,  by  consecration,  shall  al« 
ways  be  President  of  the  Board. 

3.  This  L^niversity  shall  not  be  put  into  operation  until  the 
sum  of,  at  least.  Five  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  be  actually 
secured. 

4.  The  funds  subscribed  to  this  IJniversity,  shall  be  all  con- 
sidered as  capital,  to  be  preserved  untouched  for  any  purposes 
connected  either  with  the  organization  or  management  of  the 
University  ;  provided  that  donations  and  legacies  may  bo  re- 
ceived for  such  objects  as  the  donora  may  indicate. 

5.  There  shall  be  a  Treasurer  appointed  in  each  diocese  by 
the  Convention  of  the  same,  to  whom  shall  be  delivered  the 
cash,  notes,  bonds,  stocks,  or  titles  to  land,  obtained  as  sub- 
script'on  in  that  diocese;  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  under  the  ad- 
vice of  the  Standing  Committee,  to  invest  the  cash,  and  all 
money  which  shall  be  derived  from  the  realization  of  the  above 
mentioned  private  securities,  in  the  best  public  securities  or 
other  safe  investments,  paying  over  annually  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  University  the  interest  of  the  amount  subscribed. 

6.  There  shall  be  a  Treasurer  of  the  corporation,  who  shall 
receive  the  interest  annually  from  the  diocesan  Treasurers,  and 
expend  it  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

T.  The  amount  subscribed  in  any  diocese,  a-s  above,  shall,  in 
the  event  of  the  dissolution  of  the  corporation,  be  returned 
to  the  donors  or  their  legal  representatives,  and  in  case  of  there 
being  no  legal  representatives,  then  it-  shall  revert  to  the 
diocese. 

8.  The  location  of  this  University  shall  be  as  central  to  all 
the  contracting  dioceses,  as  shall  be  consistent  with  the  neces- 
mrj  conditions  of  location. 

9.  No  diocese  shall  bo  bound  by  the^M^  PrinciploB  to  furaiflk 


^J^lirf.si. 


When  St.  Paul,  on  a  certain  occasion^  as  v-:e  read  in  Holj 
Writj  was  about  to  be  scourged,  he  claimed  the  privilege  of  a 
Koinan  citizen.  **Is  it  lawful  for  you  to  scourge  a  iBaa  that 
JB  a  .Roman?" 

The  Chief  Captain,  surprised  to  hear  one,  Id  appearance  bo 
contemptiblej  assert  the  prerogatives  of  Roixum  citizenship^ 
exclaimed,  "with  a  great  sum  obtaiDod  I  this  freedom." 
*^  But  I  was  free-born/'  «aid  St,  Paul. 

And  who  is  there  here  to-day^  breathing  this  life-giving 
air,  eiiioying  the  blessed  snii4ight  of  heaven,  looking  from 
this  loftj  eminence^  and  snn^ejing  the  goodly  lieritagc  which 
reposes  aroun.d  na  in  silent  grandeur,  or  is  spread  ont  in  quiet 
beauty,  but  feels  his  spirit  bound  within  him,  nijid  exidt^  in 
the  thought,  '^  I  was  freMorm  ?'■ 

It  suits  well  the  occasion  to  di^3collrse  to  you  of  the  sin,<7u- 
lar  blessings,  which,  by  the  i&Tor  of.  Divine  Providence,,  we 
enjoy  in  this  ha.-ppy  land. 

1.  If  a,ny  people  upon  earth  .ffi.ay  refer  the  distinguished 
privileges,  which  they  possess,  to  the  favoring  hand  of  God^ 
we  a.re  that  people.  When  we  roidew  the  prominent  events 
of  oar  history,  W8  realize  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  lw-% 
Wrought  mightily  and  wondronsly  for  iis ;  that  it  wa-s  He,  who 
endued  oui'  coun-sellors.  with  wisdom,  and  oirr  warriors  mxh 
courage,  to  me-et  in  conflict  one  of  the  most  formidable  pow- 
ers of  the  earth,  and  to  pa-ss  with  success  and  honor  thronr?h 
the  dangers  of  so  perilous  an  enoounter,  to  the  achievement  of 
.Independence;  to  the  high  and  glorious  distinction  of  h. 
name  and  a  place  among  the  Nations  of  the  Earth. 


28 

A  little  more  than  seventy  years  (the  period  allotted  to  the 
age  of  man)  have  passed  away,  since  the  clouds  of  war  rolled 
darkly  over  all  our  land,  the  thunders  of  battle  reverberated 
along  our  hills,  and  the  crimson  vesture  of  the  plains  shewed 
where  ])rethren  had  met  in  mortal  strife.  A  nation's  freedom 
was  the  prize  for  which  they  struggled.  The  God  of  armies 
beheld  the  contest,  discerned  its  merits,  and  determined  on 
which  standard  victory  should  rest. 

To  His  name  be  all  the  Glory,  the  Honor,  and  the  Praise  ! 

For,  surely,  we  had  not  been  "free-born"  had  not  He  in- 
terposed to  deliver  us  from  the  strong  and  remorseless  grasp 
of  tyranny. 

At  the  close  of  this  contest,  well  might  our  Fathers  say,  in 
the  language  of  the  Iloman  officer,  "with  a  great  sum  ob- 
tained we  this  freedom."  It  was  at  the  expenditure  of  an 
immense  amount  of  treasure  and  of  blood.  We  assert,  with- 
out the  fear  of  contradiction,  not  in  the  spirit  of  boastfulness, 
but  of  truth  and  soberness,  that  the  purest  blood  that  ever 
flowed  in  freedom's  cause,  the  least  tainted  with  selfishness, 
the  least  infected  with  earthly  ambition,  was  poured  out  in 
the  battles  of-  the  American  Revolution. 

Our  patriot  Sires  were  men  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit 
of  justice  and  p"ety,  with  sentiments  of  reverence  for  God 
and  of  trust  in  His  providence,  Th^y  fought  not  to  build  up 
the  temple  of  earthly  fame ;  not,  like  JSTapoleon,  to  raise  out 
of  the  trophies  of  victory  some  stupendous  column  which  they 
might  surmount  with  their  own  statues.  They  were  animated 
by  the  holy  love  of  liberty ;  of  liberty  regulated  by  law. 
They  claimed  those  chartered  rights  secured  by  patriots  of 
former  days  to  every  subject  of  the  Britisli  government,  and 
of  which  no  freeman  could  consent  to  be  deprived.  They 
vrere  animated  by  tlie  glorious  hope  of  exhibiting  to  the 
world  a  free  and  virtuous  people,  dwelling  together  in  unitj^, 
submissive  to  law,  and  worshipping  God  as  reason,  enlight- 
ened by  revelation,  might  seem  to  enjoin.  They  hoped  that 
religion,  in  her  holy  character  and  peaceful  spirit,  Avould  ex- 
tend her  benign  influences  as  far  as  the  arms  of  the  infant 
republic  should  ever  extend  ;  that  her  temples  would  crown 


m 

vkioa  for  iiiCi'iicatijiig  tiif  trutiiij  of  religiou  upon  tht?  young. 
The  multiplied  divisions  of  religious  professio'ii,  producing 
jealousies  and  suspicions  in  the  public  mind,  eil'ectually  ex- 
clude from  all  sucli  public  institution.^,  anything  more  than 
the  merest  generalities  of  religious  science.  Hence,  the 
young  men  of  the  country  come  forth  Itoib  them  well  versed,  it 
may  be,  in  the  radimenis  of  human  ttcienee,  but  uninsiructed 
in  the  first  principles  of  that  religion,  which  the  Son  of  God 
has  brought  us.  The  intellectaiii  facultlejs  are  eultivatedj  while 
the  moral  afiections  are  suffered  to  lie  waste  and  dormant. 
Under  the  educational  systems  of  the  day  that  Biomentout? 
truth  has  been  often  disregarded,  that  intellectual  power, 
unregulated  and  unrestrained  by  sound,  moral  and  religions 
principles,  tends  only  to  mischief  and  to  miBerj,. 

■B.  Influencedj  doubtless,  by  these  considerationH  m  obvious 
to  religious  thought,  most  Christian  denoniinations  have  lately 
sought  to  fQund  semiharieis  of  learnino-  under  their  own  esclii- 
dive  control.  There  is,  among  our  people,  enough  of  sound 
Christian  sentiment  to  make  head  against  the  gradual  and  al- 
most imperceptible  growth  of  infidelity,  if  that  gentiment  can 
only  be  embodied  and  expand  itself  in  a  just  direction. 

The  prime  end  aimed  at  in  our  projecte<i  Univer^^ity,  k,  then, 
to  make  the  Bible  the  ultimate  and  sufficient  rule  and  standard 
for  the  regulation  of  man's  conduct  as  a  rational  and  account- 
able being;  to  cultivate  the  moral  affectioms  of  the  young, 
while  their  intellectual  powers  are  in  process  of  development, 
thus  furnishing  the  commanity  with  an.  enlightened  and  vir- 
tuous class  of  citizens ;  and  last  of  all,  to  supply  convenient 
facilities  for  the  acquisition  of  theological  learning,  that  a  na, 
tive  population  may  be  served  by  a  native  ministry.  It  is  de- 
signed to  found  an  institution  on  the  most  enlarged  and  iiber* 
al  scale ;  to  engage  in  its  service  the  best  talents,  the  most 
erudite  learning,  and  the  greatest  skill  and  experience  which 
ample  compensation  and  the  hope  of  usefulness  can  comm,and ; 
to  make  its  departments  commensurate  with  the  wants  and  im- 
provements of  the  age,  in  every  field  of  philosophic  research, 
of  scientific  investigatioHj  and  of  discovery  in  the  arts. 

It^  advantages  are  to  be  offered  to  all  without  regard  to 


32 

denominational  differences,  Avho  acknowledge  the  commonly 
recognized  truths  and  obligations  of  Christianity  ;  and  further- 
morCj  since  Christianity,  to  effect  its  just  results,  must  be  pre- 
sented, not  as  a  cold  abstraction,  but  as  a  living  presence  and 
a  felt  reality ;  since  it  must  needs  be  embodied  in  forms,  and 
by  forms  be  taught,  we  feel  ourselves  bound  to  exhibit  it 
under  the  decent  forms  and  solemn  worship  of  that  Church  of 
which  we  are  members. 

This  plan,  it  will  be  perceived,  is  broad,  comprehensive  and 
liberal.  We  neither  ignore  nor  discredit  the  efforts  of  others 
wdio  are  laboring  in  this  direction.  We  wish  to  do  our  duty, 
and  to  bear  such  part  as  God  shall  enable  us  to  bear,  in  a 
work  which  must  commend  itself  to  the  cordial  approval  and 
support  of  every  right-minded  American  citizen.  We  now 
encounter  this  first  of  practical  enquiries :  Is  the  plan  feasi- 
ble ?  And  this  resolves  itself  into  the  other  questions,  whether 
our  people  are  able,  and  whether  they  are  willing  to  accom- 
plish such  an  object. 

4.  There  are  few  parts  of  the  worki  possessing  a  more  fer- 
tile soil,  or  yielding  more  valuable  productions,  than  the 
southern  portion  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  The  accumulation 
of  wealth  in  this  region  from  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  is 
without  a  parallel,  and  has  distanced  all  reasonable  calcula- 
tion. The  instances  are  almost  without  number,  of  men  who 
came  hither  a  few  years  ago,  nearly  penniless,  whose  incomes 
are  now  reckoned  by  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands.  It  is 
perfectly  obvious  that  a  region,  so  exuberant  in  its  produc- 
tions, so  generally  traversed  by  large  naAagable  rivers,  and  by 
railroads  already  in  use,  or  in  the  course  of  construction,  must 
possess  inexhaustible  resources.  What  may  not  a  country  do, 
in  which  very  many  of  the  owners  of  the  soil,  to  say  nothing 
of  those  engaged  in  trade,  possess  incomes  of  from  $5,000  to 
§10,000  per  annum,  and  where  every  man  by  industry  and 
economy  can  make  a  comfortable  living  ? 

Such  we  assume  to  be  the  fact  in  regard  to  that  portion  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley  South  of  the  Ohio  river.  Is  it  an  ex- 
travagant calculation  to  suppose,  that  in  the  States  of  North 
and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi, 


33      ■ 

Louisiana,  Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Tennessee,  ten  in  number, 
there  maj  be  found  three  thousand  persons  willing  to  give  an 
average  of  $1,000  each  for  the  foundation  and  endowment  of 
such  an  institution  as  we  propose  ?  And  this  would  give  us 
the  THREE  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLARS,  which  in  the  opinion  of 
some  among  us  ought  to  be  the  capital  of  the  proposed  Uni- 
versitj. 

Would  such  a  contribution  exhaust  our  charitable  resuorces? 
our  means  of  social  usefulness,  and  our  facilities  of  domestic 
comfort  ? 

Consider  how  manj  we  are,  and  how  much  we  possess. 

The  population  of  these  ten  States  in  1850,  was  5,851,893. 

The  value  of  their  real  and  personal  estate,  the  sam.e  year 
was,  $2,669,699,636. 

The  value  of  their  products,  the  same  year,  |355,077,644, 

An  average  of  nearly  $60  per  capita  to  the  whole  popula- 
tion. 

In  the  five  States  of  Alabama,  Georgia,  Mississippi,  South 
Carolina,  and  Tennessee,  according  to  the  report  on  the 
finances  made  to  th3  Government  of  the  United  States  last 
year,  the  value  of  the  cotton  crop  of  1850  was  $65,383,840. 

In  the  single  State  of  Louisiana,  according  to  the  same 
authority,  the  value  of  the  sugar  and  cotton  crop,  $16,945,872. 

In  the  six  States  last  mentioned,  aggregate  cotton  and  su- 
gar crops,  $82,329,712. 

Aggregate  of  agricultural  products,  $223,385,147. 

Aggregate  of  manufacturing  and  agricultural  products, 
$282,557,275. 

These  data  do  not  permit  us  to  doubt  that  there  is  supera- 
bundant wealth  among  us,  if  only,  its  possessors  can  be  in- 
duced to  appropriate  a  very  small  portion  of  it  to  promote  the 
interests  of  literature  and  religion. 

.The  next  question  which  arises,  is — Will  the  people  con- 
tribute of  their  substance  to  this  end  ? 

5.  We  must   do  our  part,  and  throw  upon  the  people  the 

responsibility  of  deciding  this  question.     Yv'ith  theni  it  rests, 

Avhether  the  object  proposed,  shall  be   attained  or  not.     For 

their,  benefit  chieily  it   ha,*;   1)een  proposed,  and  to  them   will 

3 


accrue  tlie  greatest  advantages,  if  it  succeeds.  If,  however,  it 
can  be  shown  that  it  will  be  to  their  individual  and  common 
interest,  then,  upon  the  principle  that  men  ordinarily  con- 
sult their  own  advantage,  it  may  fairly  be  presumed  that  they 
will  do  so  in  this  particular  instance.  Tlie  arguments  at  our 
command  are  many  and  forcible. 

The  youth  of  the  South- West,  for  the  most  part,  seek  the  ad- 
vantages of  education  by  a  resort  to  some  of  our  Northern 
Colleges.  This,  they  do,  confessedly  at  an  additional  expense 
arising  from  the  distance  they  have  to  travel,  at  the  hazard  of 
injury  to  the  physical  constitution  arising  from  differences  of 
climate  and  habits  of  living,  wdiich  render  tlieir  sojourn  there 
and  their  return  to  a  Southern  home  alike  dangerous ;  and, 
above  all,  at  the  risk  of  w^eakening  those  domestic  ties  and 
early  associations  connected  w^ith  the  parental  donaicil,  ■which 
are  seldom  severed  but  at  the  expense  of  virtue  and  happiness. 

Without  enlarging  upon  these  topics  at  present,  I  desire  to 
present  a  more  general  view  of  the  subject  as  it  affects  the 
happiness,  prosperity,  and  ultimate  destiny,  not  only  of  our 
ow^n  section,  but  of  the  whole  Union.  For,  in  our  political, 
as  in  our  other  relatioUvS,  w^e  are  so  bound  together,  that  ^'if 
one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  Avith  it ;  or,  one 
member  be  honored,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it." 

In  the  mighty  w^ave  of  emigration,  wdiich,  wdth  the  force  of 
an  avalanche,  has  been  Howling  Westward  for  years  past,  bear- 
ing our  enterprising  countrymen  from  the  ISTorthern  and  At- 
lantic States  into  the  rich  and  fertile  plains  of  the  South  and 
West,  the  conservative  principles  wdiich  bind  society  together, 
and  which  are  indispensable  for  the  security  of  life  and  pro- 
perty, have  too  often  been  overlooked.  There  is  real  and  im- 
minent danger  that  they  will  be  utterly  disregarded.  Lib- 
erty is  a  precious  boon ;  but,  alas  !  under  the  influence  of  pas- 
sion, how  soon  it  grows  into  the  monstrous  shape  of  tyranny : 
how  readily  it  degenerates  into  the  hideous  form  of  licentious- 
ness ! 

The  elements  of  Christianity  are  more  intimately  inter- 
woven with  the  framework  of  our  institutions,  than  is  apparent 
to  careless  reflection.    That  which  most  nations  have  express- 


oleetion,  aroided  all  dif^tiirbing  question.*,  transacted  its  busi- 
ness with  calmness,  separated  in  Christian  harmony,  and  by  a 
unanimous  vote  appointed  its  next  meeting  in  Richmond,  Yir- 
ginia. 

These  facts  discountei\ance  the  idea  that  Southern  men,  in 
devising  the  phm  of  a  Southern  University,  have  contemphi- 
ted  evil  to  this  Union.  We  regard  this  University  as  an  insti- 
tution of  conservatism  :  we  consider  that  its  influence  will  be 
ussd  to  still  the  waters  of  agitation,  to  quench  the  flames  of 
strife,  and  diffusing  intelligence,  sanctified  by  piety  to  bind 
the  discordant  elements  of  party  into  a  union  stronger  than, 
steel  and  firmer  than  adamant. 

For  my  brethren  in  the  Episcopate,  and  for  myself,  I  repel 
the  suspicion  to  which  imaginary  fears  have  given  birth.  Will 
the  sons  of  those  who  fought  and  bled  in  the  cause  of  liberty, 
lift  a  voice  or  hand  against  the  union  of  these  States  ?  There 
are  some  of  us  here  to-day,  in  whose  veins  flows  the  blood  of 
men  who  fought  in  almost  every  battle,  from  Saratoga  to  the 
disastrous  respulse  at  Savannah,  and  the  crowning  victory  at 
Yorktown.  And  when  we  shall  be  found,  under  color  of  reli- 
gion, hatching  treason  against  the  peace  and  imion  of  these 
States,  may  desolation  roll  it.'j  wave  over  om-  habitations,  and 
our  names  be  swallowed  up  in  infamy  I 

7.  In  this  country,  with  the  eyes  of  the  world  upon  us,  w^e 
are  Avorking  out  that  great  experiment,  in  which  all  preceding 
republics  have  failed  :  Is  man  capable  of  self-government  ? 
And  another  question  is  at  issue,  of  momentous  concern  to 
us,  of  deepest  interest  to  the  human  family  :  Can  religion 
maintain  her  ground,  and  put  forth  her  wondrous  power,  when 
unaided  by  the  secuhir  arm  and  left  to  tlie  voluntary  support 
of  a  free  people  ? 

Of  the  Government  we  ask  protection,  and  nothing  more. 
Give  us  "a  fair  field  in  which  to  meet  sin,  the  devil,  and  infi- 
'lelity,  and  God  defend  the  right ! 

In  this  land  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  upon  which  the 
clouds  drop  fatness,  every  man  may  sit  under  his  own  vine 
and  fig  treo ;  may  take  of  the  neat  of  his  herd  and  the  fat- 
ling  of  his  stall ;  may  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates 
of  his  own  conscience,  with  none  to  molest  him  or  make  him 
afraid.  Such  privileges  cannot  b©  enjoyed  without  con-espond- 
mg  ^idTatioH  01'  detmwation  of  ehayaet^r :   ''  t©  wlienisoeTet 


40 

iiiucli  is  given,  of  h'un  sluiH  miic]i  j)c  required:  and  to  Tfliom 
men  lin.ve  coivunitted  mucl],  of  liiiii  tliey  will  ask  the  more." 

We  feel  gla-d  in  tlie  conviction  that  religion  has  a  mighty 
grasp  upon  t])C  Annerican  mind  :  on  the  great  h.eart  of  the 
communitv.  We  caniiot  forget  siow  its  power  was  seen  "in 
the  times  that  trieU  men's  sovds/" 

In  vain  will  the  Infidel  sea,rcli  our  annals  for  evidence  to 
show  that  tlie  religion  of  Olirist  is  unfriendly  to  patriotism.  I 
a})peai  to  those  annals,:  I  call  up  the  mighty  names  of  Wash- 
ington, of  our  llenrj^s,  our  Jays,  our  Rut! edges,  our  Picker- 
ings, our  Haynes,  and  a  host  of  otluu-s,  to  a-ttcst  the  truth  of 
this  assertion. 

And,  if  occasion  ever  shall  demand,  religion  will  once  more 
demonstrate,  that  it  can  animate  the  heart  to  resolve,  and 
nerve  the  arm  of  the  patriot  to  strike  for  freedom,  for  our 
altars,  and  our  firesides,  with  an  energy  and  a  power  that 
nought  else  can  supply. 

Upon  this  influence  of  religion  pervading  the  nation  and 
upholding  the  law,  the  framers  of  our  Constitution  confidently 
relied.  Had  they  anticipated  a  time  wdien  Infidelity  w^ould 
supplant  the  Grospel,  they  were  men  of  fa.r  reaching  sagacity 
enough  to  see  that  a  different  constitution  .  would  be  needed 
from  that  they  gave  us. 

Infidelity  can  be  controlled  only  by  standing  armies,  and 
the  giant  arm  of  despotism.  And  that  day — if  that  dark  day 
ever  comes — God  in  mercy  forefend  it : — when  Infidelity  shall 
be  enthroned  in  our  land,  and  swa^y  its  cruel  sceptre  over  our 
people,  Tfill  summon  fortli  hosts  of  armed  men:  will  sound 
the  alarum  of  w^ar  in  our  mm  peaceful  and  happy  vales :  will 
strew  this  fair  land  of  ours  with,  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

To  obviate  these  fearful  dangers,  to  preserve  our  liberties 
unimpaired,  and  our  ancient  glories  undcfiled,  what  means  so 
certain  and  eifectual  a.s  the  prc-occupation  of  the  youthful 
mind  with  fixed  religious  principles  ?  Yf  hat  instruments  so 
conducive  to  this  end  as  seminaries  of  learning,  established 
under  the  formal  sanctions  of  religion,  and  conducted  in  the 
fear  of  God  ? 

We  dare  not,  tbc^n,  ])e  n.cgligent  of  interests  so  vast.  We 
will,  so  far  as  in  us  lies,  luu'ture  as  Christian  men,  the  future 
riders  of  a.  land,  v/ilh  vviiosc  j)rosperity  ai-e  identiiied  llu;  liopcs 
of  freedom  throuuhout  tlu'  world 


'^■M 


'^/ 


-#' 


PAMPHLET  BINDER 

^^  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
-— -  Stockton,  Calif, 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


30112  111511348 


